Photograph:
Lockheed TAP-3B Orion A9-439 at RAAF Edinburgh, SA (Nigel Daw)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Military anti-submarine patrol trainer and transport
Power Plant:
Four 3,357 kw (4,500 shp) Allison T56-A-OW turboprops
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 30.3 m (99 ft 8 in)
- Length: 35.6 m (116 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 120.7 m² (1,300 sq ft)
- Max speed: 740 km/h (460 mph)
- Cruising speed: 608 km/h (378 mph)
- Rate of climb: 594 m/min (1,950 ft/min)
- Ceiling: 8,625 m (28,300 ft)
- Range: 7,673 km (4,765 miles)
- Empty weight: 27,887 kg (61,491 lb)
- Loaded weight: 61,224 kg (135,000 lb)
History:
One of the many variants of the maritime patrol Lockheed Orion, the TAP-3B, was developed from the P-3B series to serve as a trainer and transport in order to conserve the airframe life of the Lockheed P-3C fleet of the US Navy. Three examples were obtained as the TAP-3B (Trainer Australia) for the RAAF fleet at Edinburgh in South Australia. These became A9-435 (c/n 5231 – BuAer 153434) which was obtained on 14 February 1998 and was retired on 20 February 2004, being broken up at Edinburgh; A9-438 (c/n 5235 – BuAer 15438) which was obtained on 18 June, 1999 and served until retired on 20 February 2004, eventually being broken up; and A9-439 (c/n 5236 – BuAer 15439) which was received on 1 August 1997 and also served until 20 February 2004, later being broken up.
The last recorded flight of a TAP-3B was A9-438 on 18 February 2004. Although acquired for training purposes and to be used for up to 1,200 hours per year, they only achieved 300 hours a year in the training role and 750 hours a year in the transport role. They were attached to No 92 Wing.
A further example of the P-3B was acquired for parts for the RAAF. This aircraft (BuAer 152760 – c/n 5204) had served with maritime patrol units VP46, VP30, VP93 and VP67 of the US Navy before being retired in 1992. It was shipped to RAAF Edinburgh, where it was broken up, the cockpit section being used as Project Air 5276 (AP-3C) trainer, and the fuselage used for Battle Damage Training. It was eventually scrapped in June 2008.